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Convergence Insufficiency Treatment Trial Study Group^*

Arch Ophthalmol. 2008;126(10):1336-1349.

Objective  To compare home-based pencil push-ups (HBPP), home-based computer vergence/accommodative therapy and pencil push-ups (HBCVAT+), office-based vergence/accommodative therapy with home reinforcement (OBVAT), and office-based placebo therapy with home reinforcement (OBPT) as treatments for symptomatic convergence insufficiency.

Methods  In a randomized clinical trial, 221 children aged 9 to 17 years with symptomatic convergence insufficiency were assigned to 1 of 4 treatments.

Main Outcome Measures  Convergence Insufficiency Symptom Survey score after 12 weeks of treatment. Secondary outcomes were near point of convergence and positive fusional vergence at near.

Results  After 12 weeks of treatment, the OBVAT group's mean Convergence Insufficiency Symptom Survey score (15.1) was statistically significantly lower than those of 21.3, 24.7, and 21.9 in the HBCVAT+, HBPP, and OBPT groups, respectively (P < .001). The OBVAT group also demonstrated a significantly improved near point of convergence and positive fusional vergence at near compared with the other groups (P  .005 for all comparisons). A successful or improved outcome was found in 73%, 43%, 33%, and 35% of patients in the OBVAT, HBPP, HBCVAT+, and OBPT groups, respectively.

Conclusions  Twelve weeks of OBVAT results in a significantly greater improvement in symptoms and clinical measures of near point of convergence and positive fusional vergence and a greater percentage of patients reaching the predetermined criteria of success compared with HBPP, HBCVAT+, and OBPT.

Application to Clinical Practice  Office-based vergence accommodative therapy is an effective treatment for children with symptomatic convergence insufficiency.

Trial Registration  clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00338611

*Authors/Writing Committee: The following members of the Convergence Insufficiency Treatment Trial Study Group take authorship responsibility for the results: Lead authors: Mitchell Scheiman, OD; Susan Cotter, OD, MS; G. Lynn Mitchell, MAS; Marjean Kulp, OD, MS; Michael Rouse, OD, MEd; Richard Hertle, MD; and Maryann Redford, DDS, MPH. Additional writing committee members (alphabetical): Jeffrey Cooper, MS, OD; Rachel Coulter, OD; Michael Gallaway, OD; David Granet, MD; Kristine Hopkins, OD, MSPH; Brian G. Mohney, MD; and Susanna Tamkins, OD.

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